Theatre: Tjaabi - Flood Country

Tjaabi–Flood Country is a contemporary intercultural music and theatre performance led by Ngarluma man Patrick Churnside.

Ten years in the making in the Pilbara, Tjaabi–Flood Country captures the urgencies of the 21st Century as the globe warms and the climate changes. Patrick captures the many cultural and ecological pressures facing Aboriginal people in places like the Pilbara in the face of ever-increasing pressures for new minerals, rare earth, and more ore. He does so through breathtaking music, profoundly personal narrative, and humour that cuts to the bone.

 This immersive theatre work, using music, spoken word, animation, and tjaabi, tells the story of growing up in the Pilbara, the lineage of cultural knowledge, the contemporary relevance of indigenous ecologies, working on country, the resource sector, and the power of Ngarluma language in capturing cultural knowledges and lived experience.

 Patrick says:

“Tjaabi has become one of my passions and life’s work. I pour my heart into it, researching, learning and performing. Through my commitment to awakening and sharing tjaabi in this innovative intercultural project, I hope understanding and reconciliation will grow, greater awareness of country and stronger song, story and culture.”

Tjaabi–Flood Country is scored and performed with familiar face, composer and musician Aaron Hopper, whose emotive, nuanced, and intelligent work seeks to grow out of traditional Pilbara melody and motif. Aaron and his family lived and worked in the Pilbara for three years, immersing themselves in cultural exchange which has allowed this musical collaboration to grow.

Written and Directed by Scott Rankin with Patrick Churnside.

This performance will take place outside, on the grass in front of the Watershed.  Seating will be available, but please dress warmly.  In the case of rain, we will relocate inside. 

Doors - 5:30pm

Performance - 6 pm

Duration - 60mins